Two Australian drug smugglers on death row in Indonesia may not be executed for "weeks or maybe months", Indonesia's vice-president Jusuf Kalla says, ahead of a hearing today that will challenge the president's refusal to grant clemency.

Brazil's Supreme Court authorises the investigation of dozens of politicians, including the presidents of the senate and of the chamber of deputies over the multi-billion-dollar graft case involving state oil giant Petrobras.

Handout aerial picture released by Riotur of the 'Cordao do Bola Preta' traditional carnival band parade in downtown Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on February 14, 2015. Carnival was under way in Rio on Saturday with millions set to take to the streets for days of rowdy, joyous parades and festivities, bringing the nation to a halt for its annual wild party. Nearly 800,000 Brazilian and foreign tourists were expected join Rio's six million residents in the celebrations, whose climax comes on Sunday and Monday with the city's top samba schools putting on their extravagant processions led by sexy dancing queens.

Revellers take part in the 'Cordao do Bola Preta' traditional carnival band parade in downtown Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on February 14, 2015. Carnival was under way in Rio on Saturday with millions set to take to the streets for days of rowdy, joyous parades and festivities, bringing the nation to a halt for its annual wild party. Nearly 800,000 Brazilian and foreign tourists were expected join Rio's six million residents in the celebrations, whose climax comes on Sunday and Monday with the city's top samba schools putting on their extravagant processions led by sexy dancing queens.